Contentment; The Process To Contentment;-{Hebrews 13:5-6}

“Content.” The word means, “enough, sufficient, with the implication  to be satisfied,” seems to be something that is often viewed and achieved if as some say”the stars are aligned,” circumstances are under your control, enough money in the bank, good health, everything going as you want, trouble and trial free, blue skies over your life, nothing missing, nothing wanted, but even then you might worry about “what if something happens” that disrupts your circumstances, and then you begin to fret, worry, stress over the “what if”s” “What if…” such and such happens? And the harder you try the less “content” you are. Because your “contentment” is based on circumstances, things, you cannot control. But most of us do not live in such a dream, a bubble, We encounter life and its varying difficulties, unexpected trials. and joys. Life is a mixture. Contentment seems so elusive, BECAUSE in reality it is… we often look for it in materialism, as we believe they will give us security, satisfaction, significance,  and we seek to hold onto them like a death grip, but they evaporate,and we chase it even harder or in frustration and despair we give up and say it is unattainable, and it is, apart from  God.

Here are a few thoughts on contentment, which is being built on…

The Foundation of a life of Contentment…

Contentment, It’s a Process, learned by Paul, “Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”-{Phil 4:11}. What was the secret? Not what  but “Who? “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” In context Paul spoke of having little or much, he knew what it was to go without or have enough and whatever the circumstance he had concluded having come to the realization experimentally, that contentment is found in a Person, who empowered him to be content, satisfied independent of difficult or pleasant circumstances! It was Jesus Christ who caused his contentment!“Paul was self-sufficient because he was Christ-dependent.  “The word “content,” therefore, in our Hebrew passage means more than “satisfied.” It refers to the ability of the Christian dependent upon the Holy Spirit, to be independent of outward circumstances.”-{Wuest}

Paul had suffered greatly, as you read in 2 Corinthians 11. Indeed, he was chosen to suffer for Christ. And suffer he did, yet he was not bitter but he gloried in his weakness, as he realized the sufficient grace of Christ and His power made perfect in weakness {Read 2 Cor 12:9-11}.The LORD used the circumstances Paul enjoyed and endured to teach him as he said, “I have learned to be content…through Christ.”

It is a process, that includes our circumstance, they do not master us, but Christ who masters our circumstances wants us to know Him in those circumstances!

Have you ever stopped to think about that?

That in the pleasures or difficulties, whatever your circumstance, Christ, who is LORD over your circumstances desires you know Him better in these circumstances and walk by faith in Him, His Word not based on what you “feel” or don’t “feel,” but looking to Him, who imparts strength for us to be content in any and all our circumstances based on Phil 4:11,13.

Contentment Is not determined by my circumstances but on Christ, who desires to be my contentment!

Christ who empowers me to be Content!

The writer to Hebrews was talking to those who had suffered, the loss of property, the loss of acceptance. They suffered for their identification with the LORD Jesus Christ! And he writes,

“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,”  so that we confidently say,

“The Lord is my helper, I will not be afraid.
What will man do to me?” -{Heb 13:5-6}

1. Don’t Be Greedy -“Make sure that your character is free from the love of money,..”-{v5}. ^“But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction.  For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”- {1 Tim 6:9-10.} Look at the characteristics and company Greed keeps , “…being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips,”-{Romans 1:29}. ” A GREEDY person stirs up STRIFE…” -{Prov 28:25}. “But actually, I wrote to you not to associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one. “- {1 Cor 5:11}.This lust for materialism, money as an end in itself is what the writer in Hebrews says they are to be free from. It was a characteristic of false teachers in 1 Timothy 6;. “Free from the love of money,” is characteristic of those who desire to lead the congregation. Paul wrote, “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.  Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach,  not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.” “…But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints;”-{Ephesians 5:3}.

“He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its income. This too is vanity.”-{Ecclesiastes 5:10}

2. Be Content with what you have

“… But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.  For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either.  If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content, But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction….”-{1 Timothy 6:6-9}

What Do I have? Well you have

3. The Promise of His Presence –  “…for He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you,” -{v 5}. “has said…” the verb. He said it in a point of time, He still says it, He will always say it. It is non negotiable. It cannot be changed, it will not be changed for He said it and still says it and will say it! What a confidence booster to those who are suffering as the listeners to the letter were. We have the PLEASURE of His Presence. As He promised to the likes of  Jacob before you, Joshua, The disciples who were being sent out and now those in Hebrews were Suffering…the assurance, the promise of His being with them. If you look at the likes of those mentioned and see how HE WAS WITH THEM, He never departed, abandoned them. He promised to be with them and He was! And to read the book of Hebrews and underline who HE IS REVEALED AS AND IT IS THIS ONE WHO IS WITH THEM AND YOU!  Hebrews 1 says He Creator, Sustainer of the world, upholding it all by the power of His Word! How amazing! All in submission to Him! The Pleasure of His Company, no mater what the difficulty, circumstances, He is present – This is truth to think on, praying the Holy Spirit enlightened it to you from His Word and applying in trusting Him and praising Him for the Pleasure of His Company! This is a platform to a life of Contentment!

You have

4. The Promise of His Help

“Where does my help come? ” The psalmist asked {Psalm 121:1} It did not come from around him as he looked. There was no human help that could meet him, but then this wonderful statement of faith in the Faithful One. “…My HELP Comes from the LORD MAKER OF HEAVEN AND EARTH.” The word “Help,” is a beautiful word, it speaks of someone upon hearing a “CRY, runs to ASSIST them” in their distress! Think on it the Maker of HEAVEN AND EARTH THE CREATOR, it is HE whom the psalmist says who runs to assist him upon hearing his cry! How wonderful, and Help is on the way. it may not be what we want but it will be what we need to honor Him, advance His kingdom and develop our faith. Faith is not in things for those perish, corrode and are futile and deceptive idols but faith in the Creator, Redeemer! In Him is there HELP! In Him is contentment found. We have the PRIVILEGE of His Help! We are recipients of the kindness of the LORD that led to repentance{Rom 2:4}; We are the recipients of “…mercy, grace to HELP in time of need” -{Heb 5:15-16}  “…in time of need,” means “the needy ones” may come to his THRONE of GRACE to receive such beautiful acts of kindness, tenderness and power, Mercy, Grace and Help!-{Hebrews 4:15-16}   The word “Help” used here is the same as in Psalm 121:1- upon hearing the cry RUNS to the aid of that person in distress! The PRIVILEGE of His Help, is all of His Grace! We cannot demand it but we can receive it, because of Him who loves us and has demonstrated it upon sending His Son and the cross! His resurrection the proof that the sacrifice of Jesus is sufficient! We now have access to Him that is Permanent and as His children we can draw near with confidence to receive HELP…. what Hope we have in Him. He is our provision for Contentment and His provision of HELP is another reason to be content!

Two wonderful Promises to build your life of contentment on; The Pleasure of His Company and The Privilege of His Help!

Contentment  is found in CHRIST!

“ Whom have I in heaven but You? And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.  My flesh and my heart may fail, But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. “-{Psalm 73:25-26}

1. Don’t Be Greedy
2. Be Content With What You Have
3. The Promise and Pleasure of His Company
4. The Promise and Privilege of His Help